Manchester United are in talks to make a deadline day move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The goalkeeper dilemma is one that Manchester United desperately want to sort out before the summer transfer window slams shut.
It seems Ineos have narrowed their options down to two – Emiliano Martinez or Senne Lammens. While the former represents experience and leadership, the latter is an exciting, young prospect.
United had a loan offer for Martinez rejected earlier this summer, but it seems United are now ready to try their luck again in the final hours of the window.
Reports suggest United have agreed personal terms with Martinez, but there is no suggestion on how much the World Cup winner would actually be earning at Old Trafford.
Emiliano Martinez of Argentina drinking from water bottle during warm-up.
Photo by Manuel Cortina/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Emiliano Martinez’s wages at Aston Villa as Man United swoop
Since the takeover, Ineos have been keen to regain control of United’s wage bill, with several top earners pushed to the exit.
But it seems signing Martinez won’t come cheap, especially if he wants United to match his wage demands at Villa.
According to Manchester Evening News, Martinez is currently earning £200,000 per week at Villa, equating to £10.4 million per year.
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🚨 Manchester United have agreed personal terms with Emiliano Martínez and approached Aston Villa!
As exclusively revealed this morning, Dibu is back as concrete option for #MUFC if Lammens deal doesn’t happen.
Talks well underway now. pic.twitter.com/rB7piyzk4F
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2025
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With Villa struggling under the Profit and Sustainability Rules, they are open to selling Martinez to free up some financial flexibility.
Reports suggest Villa are in talks with Jadon Sancho, with the 25-year-old potentially heading the other way in the Martinez deal. Sancho earns £250,000 per week at United, but he will have to accept a wage cut if he wants to play any football in 2025/26.
It is not yet clear how both deals would look, whether they are permanent deals or loans with obligations to buy, but it seems to be a swap that makes sense heading into the final hours of the window.
How Emiliano Martinez’s salary compares to Man United top earners
United’s huge wage bill has been brought back under control by Ineos, and even this summer’s star signings have been put on salaries much lower than what the Red Devils have previously paid out.
Matheus Cunha is earning £200,000 per week following his move from Wolves, while Bryan Mbeumo is earning £150,000 per week following his £65m move.
Casemiro remains United’s highest-paid player, but his £350,000 per week salary is now wide of the mark, with no European football meaning he has taken a cut.
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Club captain Bruno Fernandes earns £300,000 per week on his latest United deal, although he turned down an eye-watering amount of money from Saudi Arabia to stay at Old Trafford.
It is not yet clear what United are willing to pay Martinez, but it seems he could join as one of the top earners.